Stephanie J. Block
Stephanie Janette Block (born September 19, 1972) is an American actress and singer, best known for her work on the Broadway stage.
Stephanie J. Block
Actor, singer
1994–present
1
Block made her Broadway debut in 2003, originating the role of Liza Minnelli in The Boy from Oz. After reading for the role of Elphaba during the early stages of Wicked in 2000, Block became the first actress to play the role in the show's first U.S. national tour in 2005. She later reprised the role of Elphaba on Broadway from 2007 to 2008.
A three-time Tony Award nominee and six-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Block won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her lead performance in The Cher Show. She also received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for her performances in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2013) and Falsettos (2016). She received Drama Desk nominations for her performances in the Off-Broadway productions of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2011) and Little Miss Sunshine (2013), as well as in the Broadway production of 9 to 5 (2009).
Additionally, Block has appeared on numerous cast recordings and released a solo album, This Place I Know, in 2009. Her television credits include recurring roles on Madam Secretary (2017) and Rise (2018).
Block starred as The Baker's Wife in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. She reprised the role in the U.S. national tour. She's set to make her West End debut starring in a revival of Kiss Me, Kate in 2024.
Early life and education[edit]
Block was born on September 19, 1972, in Brea, California, and has one sister, Renée. Her mother, Rosemarie (née Garritano), worked for the local school district, and her father, Steven Block, was a welfare fraud investigator.[1] She was raised Catholic.[2]
Of German and Italian descent,[3] Stephanie grew up in Brea, where she attended St. Angela Merici Parish School (then 1-8, now pre-K through 8). Later she attended an all-girls Catholic private school, Rosary High School (in Fullerton, California), for her secondary education. She finished up her high-school years at the Orange County High School of the Arts.
Personal life[edit]
Block married actor Sebastian Arcelus on October 25, 2007. Arcelus starred alongside Block in the first national tour of Wicked as the Fiyero replacement from January to March 2006 and again on Broadway from October to December 2007.[49] They have one daughter, Vivienne Helena Arcelus, who was born January 19, 2015.[50]